General Info, Mexico City

Most tourist guides will not metion it, but when arriving at Mexico City airport, there is a base or "sitio" to take a taxi on the street coming out of the TRAIN at Terminal 1 (at Puerta 7) Turn right and down and it is likely that someone will help you with your lugagge. Taxis are gold and red, the new cab color in town (they are no longer green), and they have a meter, instead of the fixed rate that official airport cabs have. A lot cheaper! It will not be written on any pamphlet or information boot but ask the airline or aiport staff, as those are the taxis they will generally use.

whatever you do, do not hail a taxi in the street. either get it at the sitio or get the hotel to call a taxi for you. it may cost you a little bit more (perhaps about 250 mxp) but it is safer. this is one time you should not be budget conscious..
there are lots of things to do in Mexico city and with a little bit of care, nothing bad will happen to you

If you are flying in, the airport is conveniently located very close to the city center. It will be very confusing at first, but make sure that you buy a ticket for the airport taxis before a taxi driver takes your bags. They will try to get you in their car before you do this in order to charge you more. There are ticket offices inside the airport, though they aren't obvious - ask somebody with an airport uniform to guide you - once you are outside it becomes more difficult to get because you will be accosted by the drivers. However, once you buy your ticket the process is easy - get in the cab, give the driver your ticket, and give your destination - you cannot be overcharged at that point because you have already paid! A tip is definately optional, but if they are very friendly and make your introduction to Mexico City easier, then they probably deserve 5 or 10 pesos.

Arriving by bus is simple as well - there are four terminals according to the four points of the compass. Just like the airport, get a taxi ticket for your destination before you leave the terminal, and hop in a designated 'sitio' taxi where indicated.
Walk, bus, metro - they are all good ways to get around. The metro is extensive, and should get you close to wherever you are going. there are neighborhood maps in the metro stations, so once you get off you can re-orient yourself. The metro is just 2 pesos, and buses are 2-4, depending on the distance. Walking is always the best way to see the city in slow motion. Taxis (use sitio or radio taxis) should cost between 30 and 150 pesos, depending on the distance. The price is per Km, but you can always ask the driver before you head off how much it will cost. Most restaurants will call you a taxi if you need one.

In Mexico-city, you have to be carefull, because not all the taxi's are safe for tourists (robbing by the drivers!).

At the airport, go to the little office at the end of the hall. There you can pay for an official airport taxi (yellow with white). Don't react on people that offer you a taxi by themselves.

In the city, you can take a tourist-taxi in front of the hotels, they are called "sitio", but you have to fix a price before getting in. They are more expensive then other taxi's.
You can also walk to a bigger street and put your hand up. But only take the taxi's with a number on the site beginning with a "L'! They heave a meter and are cheaper.

Keep your door locked, especially at traviclights! Wair (sun-)glasses to protect your eyes for the smog!

Don't drive a car by yourself, the police is corrupt. If you get an accident, they know how to talk to the police (and maybe also pay). The foreighner is always wrong and will get problems. Mexicans buy their driverslicency's (they don't need to take lessons!).

Everything that has wheels and a motor can drive. Locals drive good, but fast and they don't mind the rules. They use every little hole between other cars. They drive by on the left and on the right side, they come from everywhere! There is a lot of trafficjam in all of the city.

Busses are in very bad condition.
The metro (untherground) is good, sometimes crowded, but very cheap.

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In general, you should take a 1st class Bus when travelling throughout Mexico. The 2nd Class buses make multiple stops and it can work your nerves. The price difference is GREAT in pesos, but if you convert it to dollars its usually a difference of about $5.

Anyway, since this is about Mexico City, I wanted to say that I took the subway and bus EVERYWHERE and never had a problem. I have heard horror stories about the metro, but I felt fine. However, I did most of my travelling on Sundays when most people are at home with their familes.

It's easy, cheap and interesting to get to Teotihuacan using public transportation.

Take the Metro (cost is $2.00P) to the Autobuses del Norte stop. This puts one at the Centro de Autobuses del Norte bus terminal. Upon entering the terminal, turn right and go toward Sala 8. Almost at the end of the long row of ticket sales counters is Autobuses Teotihuacan. Their logo is a stylized pyramid and Quetzalcoatal head. Make sure you ask for a ticket to 'los Pyramides'. Cost is $25.00P. The bus drops you at gate 1, which enters the site at la Ciudadela (the Citadel).

The buses range from older to very new, but all are clean and comfortable. The trip takes about an hour, depending on traffic.

Buses for the return trip can be caught at gates 2 or 3. They stop right by gate 3. Cross the road and stand at the entrance to the Frescoes museum. At gate 2, one catches them after they turn onto the road out of the site, beside the restaurant. Return trip cost is $25.00P. Be sure to watch for a placard in the front window of the bus saying 'Centro Norte'.

If you need transportation,in DF Contact Antonio Medria, at Radio Taxis 2616-3119.I have know him ofr about a year and he will take you around Mexico City safely,he also can do tours of The pyrimids and other locals!

One of the inconviniences of Mexico city is the Traffic.

Couple of years ago it was possible to predict the "Horas Pico" (traffic Jams hours) but now it is almost sure that you will find big traffic jams at any time, but of course mostly in principal Avs and Highways like Periférico, Insurgentes, Reforma and Constituyentes and the top crazy hours are at 7-9am and 6-8pm. So, measure well your time!

Traffic and Driving in Mexico are not easy to understand. People say that if you are able to drive in Mexico city, you can drive anywhere.

So, if you are traveling in a Microbus, Combi or as a passanger in a car, grap a good book, bring a good variety of CDs, or if you are around 7am in Periferico in front of Naucalli Park in Satélite, you can even ask for a cup of coffee in the middle of the Highway.